Recently, I made a smartlist (a dynamic playlist with rules, for those of you who don't know what that is), and by the time I was done working it out, I was left with the qualifying releases by the following bands:

Sky blue indicates a band that I found on my own since I began this thread. Red indicates a band that I found with your help. Everything else, I already had or knew about.

Basically, I'm looking for a certain form of metalcore/post-hardcore with somewhat specific characteristics and an aesthetic that is a little difficult to describe. There's a certain aggressiveness and intensity about the above acts on the mentioned releases that has really been rocking my socks lately (it's kind of funny, actually: feels like I'm experiencing a throwback to my teen years, but more intelligent and selective), and I feel like I could round this whole thing out with one or two (or three) more acts in this vein.

Now, I should note that As I Lay Dying and Ovid's Withering don't quite fit like the others do, being influenced largely by (melodic) death metal. They are retained because they just happened to survive the restrictions I placed upon the list. I'm not bothered by their inclusion because, let's face it: they're definitely aggressive, through and through, they don't break the mood in a playlist like this, and I won't necessarily reject suggestions similar to their format. However, I would still like to note that I am not stressing the melodeath/deathcore side of things here.

Instead, the acts I'm looking for are those who tend to spend more time in the alternative and, dare I say, commercial side of things, yet still manage to experiment, and hit hard by way of jarring, unconventional riffing, general loudness, a "wall-of-sound" effect, and a vocalist with a penchant for intense screaming (usually employing the fry technique, rather than the death growl/false chord)--yelling or shouting is also welcome (and often present in this kind of music). It helps if the act employs a prominent-but-subdued post-rock/metal or sludge influence, but not necessarily in the same vein as actual post-metal acts. To sum that last point up, it might be apt to say that I'm looking for sludgy (or just generally heavy and distorted) post-hardcore without the doom vibe exhibited by bands like Cult of Luna, Old Man Gloom, and VYGR. Norma Jean are probably the best example of this and the other mentioned traits, especially on their two most recent albums, Meridional and Wrongdoers, though Underoath were treading down a similar path by the time they released Ø (Disambiguation), before they disbanded. In both cases, their late-era works represent an abundance of aggression for works rooted in post-hardcore, and leave the listener thoroughly and satisfyingly spent by the time they cease to spin.

To impart some more general stipulations, experimental/avant-garde leanings are not discouraged, and are even welcome (as the presence of Iwrestledabearonce should probably well attest), but I'm not necessarily looking for mathcore. I am also okay with chugging and breakdowns, but only if their inclusion is consistent with the rest of the song at hand. In other words, if the entire tempo and mood of the song changes to accommodate the breakdown (basically, the problem most metal purists have with -core genres in general), that's a no-go. Such is literally why, as promising as I felt they were in most of the other areas, the band Northlane just didn't quite do it for me. I also have mixed feelings towards the arena rock shouting chants present in some hardcore punk(-influenced) acts. I'm okay with electronic influence, but not to the extent that it becomes straight electronicore i.e. autotune and whatnot. Obviously, lyrical content doesn't matter much to me; however, much as I am down with the (in)famous modern post-hardcore croon, I prefer that it doesn't sound boyish (Spencer Chamberlain's clean delivery is a good reference for the cleans that I am okay with, whereas Aaron Gillespie is that awkward vocalist that I had to adjust to).

To cite some examples, I ordered Architects' Lost Forever // Lost Together a few days ago (I know...I was a bit discomforted by the (scr)emo-ish title as well, but got over it once I actually heard it) for managing to be accessible, heavy, and atmospheric--often all at once. I was instantly won over to a buy by Norma Jean's Wrongdoers when I heard it all the way through for the first time tonight. Bring Me the Horizon's most recent offering, Sempiternal, is definitely on the right track, though I am on the fence about it due to the aforementioned arena rock chants and the pop vestiges. Senses Fail also feel like they have potential, now that they've released Renacer, being like a less thick and sludgy Norma Jean on some tracks, but still lacks in heaviness and "punch", probably because they're still leaning a bit too much on their alternative aspects.

It's picky and overly detailed, but I hope this make sense. I'm interested to hear of the suggestions y'all might have.

EDIT: I appreciate Metatoine's effort to fix the title for accuracy, but I changed it again to something yet more apt since, once again, I am not necessarily looking for mathcore or melodeath-influenced metalcore. If "post-hardcore" really doesn't describe what I'm looking for (I think it does, but water under the bridge, &c.), then I guess we can use the "emo/screamo" stereotype if it gives you all a better idea of the basis I'm referring to. I still don't find that apt, though, since most of the acts mentioned aren't really all that emo--not during the era(s) specified.

EDIT 2: Removed As I Lay Dying and Ovid's Withering, since, as stated above, their format is not what I'm looking for here, much as I like them.

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ThePoop wrote:

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I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

Last edited by Schmengie on Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:08 am, edited 8 times in total.

The Color Morale is close: could be a bit heavier and darker, and a little less conventional. I am positive that if they decided to take such a turn on a hypothetical future outing, they'd be precisely what I am looking for. Good suggestion, keep it up!

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

I mean, most of what you listed I would not consider "Post-Hardcore" and that genre in general doesn't really exist IMO. I guess from the listed bands you want chaotic, metallic and melodic modern Metalcore. So I would recommend stuff like The Chariot, Chiodos, The Dillinger Escape Plan, etc.

There's Walls of Jericho, In This Moment, Drop Dead Gorgeous, The Devil Wears Prada and Silverstein. I used to be an emo, so I might have some more, but it's been years so a lot is slipping my mind. Atreyu maybe?

Exotic Animal Petting Zoo immediately reminded me of Mindless Self Indulgence for a few seconds when it came to his cleans; I never liked Mindless Self Indulgence all that much. That, however, diminished, and the vocalist eventually sounded a bit more distinct. Then, it got kind of amazing. Considering the experimentation, I wouldn't call it the definitive template for what I'm looking for, but I'll definitely look further into it. Good rec.

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ThePoop wrote:

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I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

So I stumbled upon Fall of Minerva last night, being that I am still on this binge, and they totally rocked my socks off, what with the aggressive vocalist, post-rock atmospherics (and even some keyboarding!), unconventional heaviness, and sound wall. Their Seasons EP prompted me to an instant buy, and is a prime example of what I was looking for here. Standout songs in particular are "The Lingering Agony of an Exhausted Soul" and "What Dreams May Come".

In case anyone had any more suggestions.

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

...You know, I stumbled upon these guys before on Last.fm while looking for music like this. I think the player failed or something, so I went and found their Bandcamp, but before I could partake, I had to vacate for work. I tried to commit them to memory, but that name, while certainly an eye-opener, is difficult to remember when you have other things to do.

But, holy fuck. o.o

I am quite glad that you brought them up again! Not only is this (an experimental form of) precisely what I'm looking for, it also somehow manages to construct half of the bridge between the above acts and the sludge/post-metal bands I am so fond of (with the other half of the bridge being the territory of Devil Sold His Soul). I also detect certain intimations to Between the Buried and Me, but more dynamic and varied.

I think I'll be picking this up! Thank you! \m/

EDIT: Bought the début, along with a t-shirt. :3

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

Burst are cool. Known about them for years, several before I even knew post-metal was a thing. I do have a fancy for Origo. They're not really what I'm looking for here, having more to do with other post-metal bands with emphasis on the prog side, like The Ocean, but thanks for reminding me of them anyway.

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

I see that Downfall of Gaia sound quite a bit like a sludge/post-metal band, albeit with more of a tempo. Wasn't a fan of the vocal delivery at first, but it grew on me. What really got me interested was that it kept building, and somehow, they managed a seamless transition into post-black metal territory, with a grimness nearly comparable to Altar of Plagues. I love Altar of Plagues, so that was definitely a treat for me. That being said, it's not consistent with what I'm looking for in this thread; however, it's so awesome in other ways that I might end up adding them to my collection anyway. Win! \m/

Mouth of the Architect, I had in my library a long time ago when I was just getting into post-metal and binging on it. They're all right--not really the cream of the crop, and also not what I have in mind, but they're good enough with what they do play to be worth consideration. I'd need to hear more.

Viatrophy are more death metal-oriented, which is all right, though there are an abundance of breakdowns bordering on the breaking of the flow. I'm not hearing much of a post-rock influence, honestly.

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

...You know, I stumbled upon these guys before on Last.fm while looking for music like this. I think the player failed or something, so I went and found their Bandcamp, but before I could partake, I had to vacate for work. I tried to commit them to memory, but that name, while certainly an eye-opener, is difficult to remember when you have other things to do.

But, holy fuck. o.o

I am quite glad that you brought them up again! Not only is this (an experimental form of) precisely what I'm looking for, it also somehow manages to construct half of the bridge between the above acts and the sludge/post-metal bands I am so fond of (with the other half of the bridge being the territory of Devil Sold His Soul). I also detect certain intimations to Between the Buried and Me, but more dynamic and varied.

I think I'll be picking this up! Thank you! \m/

EDIT: Bought the début, along with a t-shirt. :3

Here's something a little different and not exactly what you're looking for, but give it a try.

This band, Junius who I saw in Chicago some months ago. Very doomy, atmospheric. Most of their songs are pretty midpaced and they're not as aggressive as any of the bands I mentioned. Mood is a little too sappy at times, but whatever.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poQTQTTP_tA

I also saw this band, Circle Takes the Square, last night. They also have a very doomy sound interspliced with a lot of old school screamo ala Raein and Saetia. Far angrier sounding, heavy grinding riffs.

I too have been looking for music like this. Lots of good finds here so far.

Anyway, my contribution is Ghost Brigade. They are probably a bit on the softer/less abrasive style but I think they have a unique sound going. I don't even know which song to post because I love all their songs, so here's a cool official video of theirs:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kubmMxykI8

Junius sound like a combination of recent Throes of Dawn, a little bit of The Foreshadowing, and some alternative-inspired gothic/post-metal. I haven't heard a combination like this before, so this was something of a treat. It has almost nothing to do with anything else here, but I want to hear more.

Circle Takes the Square...ehhh. I can see why you called them "old school". I don't really like the song compositions, to be honest: they're inconsistent, and not really in a good way...like Underoath on Act of Depression, but with no death metal influence, and with kind of an annoying vocalist.

I have Ghost Brigade. Interesting bridge between Katatonia-esque depressive rock, death/doom, and post-metal, but often not in one song. Until Fear No Longer Defines Us is a great album that I bought not long after hearing it for the first time, but I'm kind of hoping that they figure out how to make their various influences cohesive.

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

Hmm...As They Sleep seem like a pretty run-of-the-mill Killswitch Engage/All That Remains-esque act, but lacking clean vocals and adding some deathcore influence here and there. It's good background music to my ears, but doesn't wow me.

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ThePoop wrote:

(snip)

I believe it was Confucius who said "Life is merely a series of intervals in which one waits for the next Agalloch album."

Hmm...As They Sleep seem like a pretty run-of-the-mill Killswitch Engage/All That Remains-esque act, but lacking clean vocals and adding some deathcore influence here and there. It's good background music to my ears, but doesn't wow me.

All good, M8. I'm enjoying many of the bands you've surfaced on this thread!